Things To Do
Sandia Peak Tramway ($$)
Take the tram to the top of the mountain where we got engaged! You can see for hundreds of miles since there's no humidity in the air. There's also a fine-dining restaurant at the peak, so you could make it a date night! Admission: $34/person Distance from the hotel: 20 minutes (16 miles).
Old Town ($)
Park in the parking garage and explore the vendors in the plaza, walk around to all the little shops (get some turquoise jewelry!), and maybe grab a bite to eat. Brit's favorite homemade soap shop is in Old Town -- it's called Lillie's Handmade Soaps. There's also a historical church! Distance from hotel: 25-30 minutes (21 miles).
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History ($)
Fun fact -- southern New Mexico was where Oppenheimer and his team created and tested the atomic bombs that put an end to WWII. So, the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History is located in Albuquerque! Admission is $17 for adults ages 18-59, $15 for youth ages 1-17, seniors 60+ (you're not seniors in our hearts), $11 for active duty military and veterans, and free for children under five. Distance from hotel: 30 minutes (25.3 miles)
ABQ BioPark Zoo ($)
This is a nice zoo that's in Albuquerque -- it has the ABQ BioPark Zoo, the ABQ BioPark Aquarium, and the ABQ Botanic gardens. The gardens are beautiful -- some people get married there! Some animals that may be of interest: 2 kinds of penguins, otters, sting rays, polar bears, giraffes, elephants, chimpanzees, flamingos. Hours: 9-5 7 days a week Admission to zoo OR Aquarium/Botanic Garden: Adults: $14.50 (New Mexico residents: $10) Seniors (65+): $7.50 (New Mexico residents: $5.50) Youth 3-12: $6 (New Mexico residents: $5) Children 2 and under: free Admission to Aquarium/Botanic Garden AND Zoo: Adults: $22 (New Mexico residents: $16) Seniors (65+): $12 (New Mexico residents: $9) Youth 3-12: $8 (New Mexico residents: $7 Children under 2: free $2 off general admission and $1 off youth tickets with military ID (active or not) Distance from hotel: 25 minutes (22 miles)
Visit the Oldest Catholic Church in the United States (free)
Go visit the oldest Catholic Church in the U.S., built in 1598 in Santa Fe, NM. You could make it a whole Santa Fe day with the other two Santa Fe recommendations that we have! Visiting hours are: Monday: 11am - 3pm Tuesday-Saturday: 10am - 3pm Sunday: 12pm - 3pm Catholic mass is held in English the first Sunday of every month at 3 pm. You can visit for free but they do accept donations! Distance from hotel: 50 minutes (47.3 miles)
Santa Fe Plaza ($)
Park in the public lot and explore the plaza! There are vendors, snacks and places to grab a bite, and a ton of history to experience. The weather should be perfect this time of year! Distance from hotel: 48 minutes (46.5 miles)
Meow Wolf Santa Fe ($$)
Meow Wolf is an immersive art exhibition that's super funky and trippy. Dom says it's great to experience. Add it to your day in Santa Fe! General admission: $40/person - choose date and entry time Time warp tickets: $50/person - choose date but arrive any time New Mexico resident tickets: $25/person Distance from hotel: 44 minutes (41.7 miles)
Hike Tent Rocks ($)
This is a national monument and has a trail that leads to an amazing canyon. Dom says that it is a beautiful, light hike that the whole family can enjoy. Entry per car: $5 Distance from hotel: 37 minutes (33.4 miles) *This has not re-opened since COVID. If it looks like they will not re-open, plan accordingly!
Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum ($)
If you did not know, every October, Albuquerque hosts the world's largest hot air balloon fiesta. So, it's apt that they have a whole museum dedicated to the sport of hot air ballooning and the history! It's a must see -- where else are you gonna see the history of hot air balloons? Admission: Adults: $6 Youth (ages 6-17): $3 Children 5 and under: free New Mexico residents: $5 Distance from hotel: 15 minutes (12.7 miles)
Eats: Weck's (Breakfast) ($)
This is hands down one of the best breakfast places either of us have ever been to. They have classic breakfast items, but you HAVE to try some with New Mexican red chile - it's not too spicy (coming from Brit) and it's like having hot sauce on your savory breakfast but a million times better. Distance from hotel: 16 minutes (8.9 miles) Other great breakfast spots: Blake's (across from the hotel) has great breakfast burritos, Twisters is more fast food, but still has great breakfast burritos
Eats: Hot Tamales (lunch/dinner) ($)
This place has the New Mexican food that Brit craves the most while she's on the East Coast. Think typical East Coast Mexican food, but with a Native American flare and a million times better. They serve hot fried dough with honey (they're called sopaipillas - think zeppolis but much lighter) that is delicious. This was Dom's late grandfather's favorite New Mexican spot. Distance from hotel: 16 minutes (9.3 miles)
Eats: Turtle Mountain Brewing Company (Lunch/Dinner) ($)
This is an awesome micro beer brewery with tons of great craft beer, and is also a sports bar type of place. They have stone fired pizzas that are great (coming from a New Yorker), great burgers and sandwiches, and their mac and cheese is delicious. Distance from hotel: 4 minutes (1.2 miles)
FANCY DINNER: Vernon's Speakeasy ($$$$)
This is a "speakeasy" where you get texted a password to say when you knock on the door. It's also a really fancy steakhouse that is using some of the best beef and quality fish. Dom and Brit went here on a double date and it was some of the best food we've ever had! But when we say FANCY, we mean expensive. If you plan on getting an appetizer, drinks, meals, and dessert, you're looking at $250 for a couple. Maybe good for a "once a year type of date night" thing. Distance from hotel: 19 minutes (16 miles)
Brewery: Bosque Brewing ($)
According to Dom, this is the best brewery in the area. Great craft beers, IPAs, ciders, etc. with some light bites. It's also sooo close to the hotel! Distance from hotel: 2 minutes (0.4 mile)
Brewery: Sante Fe Brewing Company ($)
This place comes highly recommended for great, hand-crafted beer! This location I have listed is in Albuquerque, but the headquarters and main center is on the way to Santa Fe. Hours: Monday - Saturday: 11 am - 11 pm Sunday: 11 am - 10 pm Distance from hotel: 20 minutes (19.8 miles)